While living in Sabah for two years, we discovered there were many restaurant franchises that are famous in West Malaysia have not set foot in East Malaysia yet. But that did not mean we were left out when it comes to great Malaysian food. Borneo has its own restaurants and food outlets that are just as good, if not better, than the ones in the Peninsular. So here are the Top 10 Sabahan and Sarawakian Food Outlets We Hope Would Expand Their Business Into West Malaysia.
1) Yoyo Cafe
Popular for its milky tea, this cafe has recently diversified its menu with an assortment of bread, pastries, cookies, cakes and even gift sets.
Source: Google Images
Source: Google Images
Yoyo's Pearly Milk Tea
2) Multi-Bake
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With over 32 outlets all around Sabah, this bakery serves a variety of more than a 100 different types of baked goodies. It is most popular for its Cake of The Month.
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Multi-Bake's bread and cakes
3) Upperstar
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People don't just come here for the awesome food but for the ambiance as well. Apart from local and western cuisine, they also serve all kinds of beverages as well. The kitschy decor with Internet-equipped cushioned booths add to the experience.
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Upperstar's unique decor.
4) Rafflesia Chicken Hut
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As the name suggests, they specialize in Malaysian-styled chicken dishes. Apart from that, there is also all kinds of side dishes, beverages and desserts on their menu. For an air-conditioned restaurant, the food is surprisingly inexpensive while maintaining a high quality.
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RCH's Pandan Chicken Rice
5) SCR Restaurant
Source: Google Images
This Singapore-Sarawak joint venture was opened in 1987, thirteen years before West Malaysia's The Chicken Rice Shop. SCR now has over 30 outlets throughout Borneo, including East Malaysia, Brunei and Kalimatan (Indonesia). Although it specializes in Singaporean chicken rice as the name suggests, it also serves a range of Western and fusion cuisine as well.
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Part of SCR's menu.
6) Karamell Almondo
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Famous for its soft ice cream made from milk powder and natural vanilla bean, the ice cream here does not contain eggs and gelatin. One of its latest hits on the menu is the Sabah Cocoa Soft Ice Cream which is made with the Majulah Cocoa, Sabah's homegrown premium cocoa bean.
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Sabah Cocoa Soft Ice Cream
7) Borenos Fried Chicken
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Serving American southern comfort food just like KFC, McD and Marrybrown, what makes Borenos appealing is it is much ore affordable. The name is a combination of “Borneo and “Sabah”. Its fried chicken is popular for its tender texture and juiciness.
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American comfort food.
8) Sabah Kertang Restaurant
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Famous for its Giant Grouper, this Sabahan seafood restaurant has three branch in Kota Kinabalu, one in Miri and a brand new outlet in Sandakan. They also feature a variety of fish, squid and prawns in our Menus.
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The Giant Grouper.
9) Southern Bakery
Although they serve a variety of bread and cakes, Southern stands out for its egg tarts and Kaya puffs which are to die for!
Source: Google Images
Source: Google Images
The famous Kaya puffs.
10) Sugar Bun
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Alright, so we'll admit we're cheating a little by including this franchise in this list because they by the time this article was written, Sugar Bun has already opened two outlets in West Malaysia. With over 90 outlets all across the world, this is probably one of the most successful East Malaysian food outlets out there. Starting out as a simple ice-cream parlour in the late 70s, Sugar Bun's menu now also serves a variety of Borneo cuisine as well as some Western dishes.
Source: Google Images
More than just ice-cream.
Did we leave any good ones out? East Malaysians, we need your opinion. Let us know in the comment section below.